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POSTED Fri, 07/28/2017 - 17:47 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Disney Legend Marty Sklar Dies at 83

The death of Legendary Disney Imagineer Martin A. "Marty" Sklar at age 83 has left the Disney community heartbroken. We here at Walt Disney World for Grown-ups mourn with out friends and colleagues as we honor one of the most beloved Imagineers. If you love the Disney Parks, you have been touched in some way by the indomitable spirit and Imagineering of Marty Sklar. He was a mentor to generations of Cast Members and Imagineers, and a icon to Disney fans around the globe.

While the kids don't care too much yet about Walt, Roy, and their hope and dreams, those of us who grew up watching their rise to fame and playing in their theme parks always want to know more about how it happened and how we got from the "Florida Project" to what we have today. The column will be dedicated to history, Disney-style.

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POSTED Thu, 05/08/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Disney's Hollywood Studios Celebrates Its 25th Year

Happy 25th Anniversary, Hollywood Studios! Opened as Disney-MGM Studios on May 1, 1989, Hollywood Studios was the fifth theme park to be built by Disney Imagineers and the third to be constructed at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Let's explore briefly the origin, purpose, and identity of this park.

POSTED Wed, 03/19/2014 - 05:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Disney History: Walt Disney World And How It All Began

Next year will mark 50 years since the public first learned of Walt Disney's plan to expand his theme park enterprise to the East Coast. The 1964 World's Fair was not only a way to showcase Disney's ideas and the achievements of his Imagineers; it was also to test the waters for Disneyland East. When the project proved successful, a plan was set in motion to begin the new "Disney World".

POSTED Thu, 03/13/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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runDisney Race Recap: Princess Marathon Weekend

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by to read my Princess Half Weekend recap! This was my first time running this event, but my fifth and sixth Disney races, so I feel like I'm getting the hang of this runDisney thing! Today I will focus on the Half Marathon part of the weekend.

POSTED Wed, 02/12/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Melissa W.
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9 Vintage Disney Valentine's Day Cards

They just don't make Valentine's Day cards like they used to, do they? Thanks to sites like Pinterest, {Psst, are you following WDW for Grownups on Pinterest yet?!} we are finding so many cool things!

My latest obsession is Vintage Disney and there's plenty of it out there!

With Valentine's Day in just a few days, check out nine of our favorite Vintage Disney Valentine's Day Cards that we wish we would receive!

1. Vintage Snow White Valentine's Day Card

POSTED Thu, 02/06/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Rides That Never Were: Walt Disney World - Western River Expedition

As Walt Disney World park guests pass hurriedly through Frontierland to join the queue lines for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder, many will be blissfully unaware of the history attached to this corner of the park. A conceived but unrealized attraction, Disney's Western River Expedition & Thunder Mesa have now become something of a legend amongst Disney Imagineers and officiandos.

POSTED Thu, 01/23/2014 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Guest Author
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Looking Back: A Brief History Of Walt Disney World Ticket Media

Today we will explore the evolution of Walt Disney World admission media over the past four and a half decades. To help us better understand how ticket media had changed; let's experiment with our own little "Carousel" of ticket "Progress". We'll follow a family of four (mom, dad, sister aged 14, brother aged 7) on their quest to go to the Magic Kingdom for one day to visit some of their favorite attractions at various points in Disney history.

POSTED Thu, 11/28/2013 - 06:00 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Disney Shorts: Mickey Mouse At The Dog Show

There are many different Thanksgiving Day traditions across America, and each one helps to make this one of the most popular holidays all year long. While football may be a tradition in some households, my family spends Thanksgiving watching the Macy's Parade and the National Dog Show. But did you know that it's not the only dog show in town today? That's because we're sharing two fantastic Disney shorts that honor this holiday tradition. Mickey Mouse is a huge fan of dog shows, and he's starred in two films to prove it.

POSTED Wed, 11/20/2013 - 02:02 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Diane Disney Miller, Walt Disney's Daughter, Passes Away At Age 79

It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we must report the death of Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney. She passed away in her Napa, California home on Tuesday, November 19th due to complications from a sudden fall she took in September. Diane Disney Miller was 79 years old.

POSTED Thu, 09/05/2013 - 05:05 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk

Looking Back At The Empress Lilly

Have you ever taken note of the beautiful classic riverboat docked along the shore at Downtown Disney? Today it's home to Fulton's Crab House, but back in the day she was called The Empress Lilly, and the ultimate Disney location for the posh dining at Walt Disney World.

POSTED Thu, 01/31/2013 - 06:05 | POSTED BY Kristen Kirk
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Profile of an Imagineer: Roger Broggie Jr.

Roger Broggie Jr. was the son of Walt Disney's original Imagineer. As a young boy of 11 he began working for the man he called "Uncle Walt" when he, and his brother Michael, tended Disney's backyard railway the Carolwood Pacific. He spent his teen years in the brand new Disneyland, watching it evolve, take shape, and giving a kid stamp of approval.